Joe Gomez has become Jurgen Klopp’s new assistant – but will Arne Slott agree? – Liverpool FC

Liverpool’s current longest-serving player has enjoyed more playing time than ever before in 2023/24, creating a new role as back-up man for Jurgen Klopp.

Joe Gomez will still tell you that his preferred position is at the heart of the Reds defence, but the emergence of Jarell Quansah and injuries down both flanks meant he was mainly deployed at full-back throughout the campaign.

His own career has been hampered by a series of unfortunate fitness lapses, so it seems somewhat fitting that this time he could be the beneficiary of similar misfortune among his colleagues.

It was a season where his dedication to the cause was rewarded with everything but that elusive first professional goal, and a season where he proved what an invaluable asset he still is to this team.

Versatility without complaint

Gomez admitted back in November that he felt his skill set was still best suited to work at centre-back, after forming a formidable partnership with skipper Virgil van Dijk during the 2019/20 title-winning season.

As the campaign wore on, it became increasingly apparent that the manager had other ideas, featuring in just five of his 51 appearances in all competitions.

Liverpool’s No. 2 even made several appearances as a defensive midfielder as we headed home, a sign of the huge confidence Klopp is willing to place in his ability to get the job done wherever needed.

It may not have been his preferred route back into the side, but his work in a variety of places has seen him terrorize the goal on an almost weekly basis and spark debate over when he will finally end his wait to get on the scoresheet.

Although the unwanted by-product of this was unbearable shouts of ‘SHOOT’ from the stands when the ball was picked up in the opposition half, it allowed him to express himself in newfound ways.

Comeback season

Wherever Gomez was asked to play, there was little to complain about as far as his contribution to the side was concerned.

He constantly changed positions with minimal fuss and always exuded composure, even when others around him were guilty of losing their heads.

There is a noticeable difference between the role of left-back and right-back at the best of times, even more so for the Reds during the last season of Klopp’s reign.

When asked to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gomez created his own interpretation of the inverted right-back position occupied by the vice-captain for most of the last 12 months.

Likewise, the man who returned to England earlier this year did a great job filling the shoes of one of the club’s best left-backs in Andy Robertson’s history, this time in a more traditional sense.

His impact was perhaps best demonstrated when he replaced Wataru Enda at half-time away at Crystal Palace.

He provided the defensive solidity that allowed Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield, with both helping to inspire an important late turnaround at Selhurst Park.

But what will Slott do with him?

Had Klopp decided to see out the final two years of his contract at Anfield, Gomez might have resigned himself to being tied to the touchlines for the foreseeable future.

But as things stand, there is no shortage of variables on the pitch as we look ahead to Arne Slott’s Liverpool.

The 26-year-old’s role has varied drastically since making his debut as a fresh teenager under Brendan Rodgers until August 2015.

There was no shortage of understandable calls for defensive reinforcements this time last year, with the impending departure of Joel Matip and the fitness of Ibrahima Konate doing little to assuage those concerns 12 months on.

Where that would take Gomez remains uncertain, but the attitude he has shown, at times, in difficult circumstances during the 2023/24 season proves he still has more than enough stomach to fight.

Not since 2012 has the Liverpool manager had the luxury of a full summer and pre-season upon arrival, so we can expect plenty of fresh and funky ideas across the board as we enter this exciting new era for the football club.

You’d have to go back even further to the departure of the great Bob Paisley for the last time we know of such a scenario before the end of the season.

It may seem a daunting prospect for a man who has changed positions as often as Gomez has over the past year, but the mere fact that he has featured more in 2023/24 than in any previous campaign is a good platform to build on.

The seemingly endless debate over Alexander-Arnold’s position enters its eighth summer, with question marks lingering over the fitness of Gomez’s fellow centre-backs.

Who knows, Arne might be the one to finally get a goal out of him. I’m drooling at the look of that celebration just imagining it.

Best moment: Pocketing Bukayo Saka twice in the space of two weeks at Christmas against Arsenal.

Worst moment: Poor result in a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta, but he was not alone.

Role next season: Slott may look to use his versatility, but Gomez will no doubt be looking to establish himself as a regular at one position after already entering his prime years.